In any kitchen there will be a few unwanted jars that cannot be reused for canning. At the same time, they are convenient for storing bulk products or small items. Even the most ordinary container can become a decoration for a room. Many housewives decorate jars with their own hands - this makes it possible to give a second life to an unnecessary item, making it beautiful and useful.
Decorating glass jars
Glass jars are a versatile storage container for the kitchen. Most of them have appropriately sized lids that allow you to tightly close the container without letting moisture in. At the same time, they can easily be processed in any way - they can be simply painted, or any decor can be glued to the surface.
Important! When decorating jars in which food will be stored, it is better not to glue small parts. They can fall off and get into food.
Preparing for work
Before you start decorating glass jars for the kitchen with your own hands, you need to prepare your workplace, the containers themselves and materials for work.
- The work surface should be free of unnecessary things. In addition to the place itself, you need a corner where the product will dry.
- Labels from jars should be removed.
- Wash containers thoroughly. It is advisable to use dishwashing liquid or wash them in the dishwasher.
- The surface must be degreased by wiping the glass with a cotton swab dipped in acetone or nail polish remover.
- If paints or contours are used, it is necessary to work with gloves so that there are no fingerprints left on the glass surface.
- Depending on what you will create, prepare materials (paint, paper, fabric, small decorations, etc.).
- The adhesive material is selected - glue (super glue, Moment or construction glue), double-sided tape, adhesive gun.
Important! If you don’t have confidence in your abilities and imagination, it’s better to draw a sketch of the future product on paper. It will be easier to work this way.
Coloring glass jars
Acrylic paint is most often used to paint glass jars for the kitchen. It is non-toxic and can come into contact with food without harmful health effects. You can paint the surface with a brush or use an aerosol can.
Simple decor idea - full coverage with spray paint
If you use an ordinary kitchen sponge and several colors of paint instead of a brush, you will get unusual stains on the surface.
Painting with acrylic paints using a sponge
To preserve the color for a long time, it is better to cover the surface with transparent acrylic or construction varnish. To complete the look, you can add small decorative elements (for example, lace, buttons, twine, fabric).
Painting with a brush with the addition of lace, twine and small decor
Using stencils
You can draw a stencil for decoration yourself or print it on a sheet of paper. Having placed the image in the jar, pressing it tightly against the inner surface, the design is outlined with a brush or contours.
Drawing with a stencil
With the help of such stencils, the transparent jar is usually not completely covered. Therefore, you should think about what will be stored inside the container.
Example of design using stencils
Decor using stained glass paints
Stained glass paints are specially designed for painting on glass. It is advisable to apply them with a synthetic brush so that no lint remains on the surface. After work they do not require additional fixing with varnish. Unlike acrylic paint, they are slightly translucent and you can see what is inside.
The result of painting with stained glass paints
Key aspects and techniques of decoration
Do-it-yourself home decorations can brighten up the simplest decor, adding special charm and comfort to it. Using different methods, experienced needlewomen can decorate bottles, containers for house plants, kitchen and bookshelves, as well as any surface.
Using available tools, you can transform glass jars of any shape and size, giving them a functional role.
Such devices make excellent flowerpots, display cases for family photos, organizers in which you can store various small items, and other useful additions.
At the same time, cans can make very original candlesticks and lamps, suitable for creating an intimate atmosphere.
Rules for creating the perfect thing
Any decor requires following some important rules. Based on this, before decorating glass jars you will need to take into account the nuances of the process , which will affect further actions:
- The dimensions of the products determine the amount of consumables and determine the design of the final decoration.
- The choice of necessary materials and processing techniques for products will depend on the purpose of the item.
- The interior of the room in which the decoration will be located is not the least important. So, before its production, you need to take into account the color scheme, interior style and purpose of a particular room.
Understanding the features of the process, you can begin to select the necessary consumables for decoration and use them. However, you need to understand what materials may be needed based on the chosen method.
Popular Decoration Methods
If the owners have the desire and ability to assemble home decorations themselves, they will need to arm themselves with ideas taken from numerous master classes. Apart from this, there are some standard techniques that beginners can use. Among them you can choose the following:
- Decorative painting is a method characterized by convenience and elegance. Even if you don’t have the ability to draw, you can use special stencils or decorate products in the Gzhel style.
- By using decoupage, people will be able to see its simplicity and aesthetics. The result of the processing depends on the design on the napkin, the upper part of which is applied to the glass surface of the jar treated with water-based paint. To ensure a tight fit of the napkin, smooth it with a brush with varnish from the center of the product.
- Fabric or knitted elements can add uniqueness to the compositions. To create beauty, you can cover the side surfaces of the cans with elegant textiles or lace. In addition, nice options can be obtained from knitted covers and macrame (if the latter is made from silk threads, the decoration will acquire nobility and sophistication).
You can also decorate jars using the bas-relief technique , where decorations reminiscent of ancient flowerpots are made from nylon stockings with sparkles. First, the jar should be coated with a small layer of PVA, and then covered with a nylon layer (before the glue dries, you need to make several chaotic folds directed in different directions, and apply a layer of transparent varnish as protection).
Decoupage glass jars
The decoupage technique allows you to glue paper fragments so that you get the feeling that the image is drawn. To work you will need:
- a napkin with a pattern or decoupage card;
- white primer or acrylic paint;
- brush or sponge;
- PVA glue;
- transparent acrylic or construction varnish.
And of course, the container itself, well washed in soapy water.
- It is necessary to remove the lower, white layers from the napkin, leaving only the design. The required fragment is cut out with scissors or pulled out by hand to give uneven edges.
- The surface of the jar should be coated with a white primer (or acrylic paint) using a sponge or brush. Dry the workpiece for at least 30 minutes.
- A fragment of the design is applied to a white surface and glued to PVA glue using a brush. It is better to work with brush movements from the center of the image to the edges so as not to tear the paper.
- You can also use a sponge to apply some paint around the design. The workpiece must dry for at least an hour.
- The jar is coated with transparent varnish, applying at least three layers, drying each of them for at least 4-5 hours. It is more convenient to apply the varnish with a wide brush.
- The product can be decorated with ribbon, twine or other decorative elements.
The result of simple decoupage on glass
Important! When working with construction varnishes, the room must be well ventilated to avoid poisoning by toxic fumes. But acrylic varnish is odorless and not harmful to health.
Decorating with textiles
Fabric materials are often used to decorate the surface of a glass jar. The most popular are burlap, twine, shreds and lace. It is best to glue fabrics with double-sided tape or Moment textile glue.
Decor using burlap and lace
You can cut out small figures from multi-colored scraps or felt, creating entire scenes or paintings. The materials are easily glued with double-sided tape. They are also easy to sew onto a plain fabric cut to fit the container. Children love to make such crafts.
An example of working with felt
Sets for spices and storage of small items
Small jars left over from baby food can be turned into a spice set. It is also better to paint or decoupage them.
Decorating small jars of saline solution. Painting with stained glass paints
If there are a lot of seasonings, you can write their names.
Embroidery canvas and pieces of felt are glued, the name is signed with a regular pen
Decorating jars without lids
Jars without lids are used to store things that are not susceptible to moisture. They can hold pencils, pens, markers, glasses, hooks or knitting needles for needlework.
Decorating pencil holders using stained glass paints
Such containers can easily be converted into flower vases.
Lamps made from cans
By placing an LED light bulb or candle in a glass jar, you can create an unusual lamp. A real candle must be placed on a stand, or care must be taken to ensure that it does not melt completely. Otherwise, the glass will become very hot and black soot will form.
Small stones are used as a stand to prevent complete combustion of the candle.
By simply placing a garland in a glass container, you can decorate the glass jar and get an original night light.
Night light idea
And if the jar is unevenly coated with paint or lace is glued, the light from it will form beautiful patterns.
Night lights with lace
Use of small details in decoration
Jars with small details glued to them in a chaotic manner - buttons, coins, pasta, etc. - look original.
Decorated buttons covered with paint
The decoration of glass jars using natural coffee beans is very popular. Fix them to the surface using a glue gun or regular glue.
Decor with twine and coffee
Decorating the inside of the jar
If the container will simply serve as a piece of furniture, it is not necessary to decorate it on top. It is enough to place bright little things in it and it will already look beautiful. For example, you can use:
- colored buttons;
- pieces of colored glass;
- multi-colored pebbles;
- shells;
- rhinestones or beads.
And if you use your imagination, you will get amazing interior items.
Idea for decoration - inside there is sand, pieces of glass and dried flowers
A transparent jar can act as a kind of snow globe, which everyone probably had in childhood. In order to create such a decor, you need to place inside a composition of small toys, dried berries, cones or spruce branches. Secure the parts well with glue. Use cotton wool, coarse salt as “snow,” or simply spray the inside of the jar with white paint. Craft stores also sell artificial snow (made of plastic). The only difference from a snow globe will be that such a product cannot be shaken - it should simply stand still and delight with its unusualness.
Idea for decorating a “snow composition”
Decorating tin cans
If you get creative and use some tips, you can turn boring cans and other tins into unusual home decor items.
Preparing for work
- First of all, you need to clean the surface of the cans. Remove labels, rinse and dry walls. If there are any unevenness, sand them with sandpaper (one or zero).
- If the metal is prone to rust, or the product will be actively used in contact with water, treat the surface with a special product. Construction and creative stores offer a large range of sprays: rust converters, anti-corrosion, inhibitor compounds, lithium or silicone grease.
Clue. If the surface of the tin can is to be covered with acrylic paint or primer, no additional means should be used - their composition additionally protects the metal from corrosion.
- The necessary materials and adhesives are selected.
- The edges of the jar are checked. The cut should not be sharp (for example, like in canned food). If there is a possibility of cutting yourself, it is better to process the top with a file, coarse sandpaper, or glue a strip of fabric.
The main difference between products made from tin and glass is that such containers can be modified. For example, drill holes to make special fastenings (to hang the product on a hook or attach a convenient handle). To do this, you may need a drill, knife or other sharp object.
Decoration of tin cans
The decor of tin jars is considered the simplest. This item can be used to decorate a kitchen, hallway or corridor. Since tin cans are quite durable and practically not subject to mechanical damage, they are often used as flowerpots outdoors.
The decor of the jar begins with its preparation:
1. Using pliers and a file, remove sharp edges where the cover is cut.
2. Using a nail or drill, make several holes in the bottom so that when watering, excess water can pour out.
3. Use sandpaper to remove the factory paint from the surface.
4. Buy plastic or clay saucers in accordance with the diameter of the container, if the jars will stand. When placed vertically, such an element is not needed.
Banks made from this material are usually painted with facade paint, although regular paint can also be used. Painting can be a solid color or using stencils. The container can be decorated with additional elements: beads, ribbons and glass, twigs, bark and wire.
To be able to hang the jar, you can make a handbag out of macrame-style threads or use regular wire to make a handle like on a bucket.
Such products are used as organizers for pencils and pens, towels in the bathroom, small screws and nails in the shed. Decorated tin cans are often used as candlesticks. To do this, holes are punched in the body of the container in the form of a pattern.
On video: master class on decorating a tin can.
Containers for plants
Tin cans are very convenient for growing flowers and spices in the kitchen. Soil should be placed inside and plants should be planted.
If you drill several holes at the bottom of the tin and select a suitable plate or tray, you will get full-fledged plant pots.
An example of the decor of large tin cans for flowers
Decorated jars can be hung on the wall and create an amazing “living” composition.
Buckets made from tin cans
The containers to which special handles are screwed look interesting. In addition, such buckets are convenient to carry and hang on the wall.
Composition of flower pots on hooks
Handles can be not only useful, but also simply decorative.
Handles for a bucket are also knitted, twisted from fabric, or woven using the macrame technique.
Decoration with paper, twine, fabric
If the container will store things that are not afraid of moisture, you can decorate the jar with beautiful paper, magazine clippings, and even your own photos.
Decor idea using paper, lace and buttons
If you wrap a jar in a circle with twine or a rope, gluing it to the surface using a glue gun, super glue or Moment, you will get an interesting eco-style blank.
Taping with a tourniquet
You can decorate such a base with anything. Natural materials (cones, acorns, dry plants, grains, seeds), small details (buttons, pendants, shells), lace and ribbons look good with twine and rope. It is best to glue the decor using a glue gun or Moment for textiles.
Idea for decorating with twine, shells and lace
Craft stores sell textile tapes that can be easily applied to a metal surface. This way you get original multi-colored containers.
Use of textile tapes in decoration
